RUTHERGLEN MSP ENCOURAGES LOCAL GROUPS TO APPLY FOR LOTTERY FUNDING

A fund which aims to help children and young people become more confident in order to realise their potential has re-opened for applications (Thursday 30th August).

Run by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Young Start programme awards money from dormant bank and building society accounts that have seen no customer-initiated activity for at least 15 years. Over the next three years, approximately £18m will be available for voluntary sector organisations who involve young people in the design, running and implementation of activities. Groups can apply for grants between £10 and £100k.

SNP MSP Clare Haughey has urged local groups to apply for funding and cited the success of Friends of Cambuslang Park who were awarded £50,000 last year to run a Forest Schools and Outdoor Learning project for young people aged 8-16 years old.

Commenting, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said:

“From charities working to promote better mental health to groups helping young people gain new skills and qualifications, the third sector in my Rutherglen constituency is tremendous and those involved undertake invaluable work.

“The Young Start fund is primarily aimed at organisations working with young people aged between eight and 24 years of age, so if think your group could be eligible please get in touch with the Big Lottery Fund Scotland.

“Only last year, Friends of Cambuslang Park were awarded £50,000 through the fund, and I sincerely hope more local groups see success in this latest round of applications.”